title: Plasma antioxidants and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atherosclerosis remains clinically mute for a long time and frequently manifests itself with an acute cardiovascular event. The possibility of detecting this disease in a subclinical phase and reducing or reversing its progression is an issue of relevance. Published studies on the association between antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) have been inconclusive.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 220 consecutive, asymptomatic participants. After carotid ultrasound investigation, a medical history was taken, a physical examination was performed and venous blood samples were collected. Venous blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low concentrations of vitamin A (p < 0.01), vitamin E (p < 0.001), lycopene (p < 0.01) and beta-carotene (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT > or = 0.8 mm). In addition, marginally higher body mass index, plasma haemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also associated with carotid atherosclerosis, while other laboratory parameters considered in this study (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein) were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, beta-carotene) and lycopene were associated with early carotid atherosclerotic lesions as measured by CIMT. Regular intake of foods rich in lycopene and antioxidant vitamins may slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, San Camillo de Lellis' Hospital, Manfredonia, Italy. griccioni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.forename: Tonino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bucciarelli
authors.forename: Nicolantonio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Orazio
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: di Ilio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corradi
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennelli
authors.forename: Lydia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bazzano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene